Conductors of the Wiener Symphoniker

Conductors of the Wiener Symphoniker

from 1900 until today

Chief Conductors of the orchestra


1900–25
Ferdinand Löwe

1927–30
Wilhelm Furtwängler
Direktor der Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde

1934–38
Oswald Kabasta

1939–44
Hans Weisbach

1945–47
Hans Swarowsky

1948–64
Herbert von Karajan
Konzertdirektor der Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde

1960–70
Wolfgang Sawallisch

1970–73
Josef Krips
Künstlerischer Konsulent

1973–76
Carlo Maria Giulini

1981–83
Gennadi Roschdestwenski

1986–91
Georges Prêtre
Erster Gastdirigent

1991–96
Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos

1997–2004
Vladimir Fedosejev

2005–2013
Fabio Luisi

2014–2020
Philippe Jordan

2020-2022
Andrés Orozco-Estrada

since 2024
Petr Popelka

Guest Conductors


First Guest Conductor 2017-2020
Lahav Shani

First Guest Conductor 2023-2026
Marie Jacquot

Artistic Partner from the 2026-27 season
Elim Chan
Petr Popelka

Petr Popelka has established himself as one of the most sought-after conductors of his generation and has been the chief conductor of the Wiener Symphoniker since the 24-25 season.

 More about Petr Popelka
Elim Chan

Authentic, always full of surprises, and embodying the power of making music in the moment—that’s how Elim Chan describes herself and her collaboration with the Wiener Symphoniker.

 More about Elim Chan
George Prêtre

There is no doubt that Prêtre’s concerts were not “conventional” concerts. And when Wolfgang Sawallisch ended his musical career in 2005, an era truly came to a close.

 About the Honorary Conductors

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